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Truly baffled by educators who insist on cameras on. I have a class of grade 4 and 5 students. I told them on day one that cameras were optional. Some choose to keep them off the entire day. They're still doing work and showing me that they're listening, so... who cares? #onted
Ditto with using voice to ask questions. I have some students who really, really hate this online thing. It's clearly causing anxiety. They will raise their hand and then put their question in the chat, which works fine for me. #onted
I just... don't get why people think they NEED cameras. Why? What is your argument for forcing cameras to be on? If it's that you want to see them looking at their screen, do I have news for you:
1. Looking at screen =/= looking at Meet
2. Not looking at screen =/= disengaged
1. Looking at screen =/= looking at Meet
2. Not looking at screen =/= disengaged
The same kid who needs to fidget with something in class still needs to do that at home - probably even more so. I have students who look down even when their camera is on, or are clearly in other tabs at the same time. I was and am that person, too, so I get it.
Ultimately, if those kids are able to show me that they were listening, they understood the material, they can apply their knowledge, and they're getting things done, then I don't care if their camera is off, they never use their mic in whole-class, or they're looking down. 
Sitting here waiting for the "but it's rude!" answer.
Is it?
If I'm doodling while listening in a staff meeting, it means I can focus on what you're saying. It's not personal. If you make me sit there, hands unoccupied, staring forward the whole time, my mind wanders.
Is it?
If I'm doodling while listening in a staff meeting, it means I can focus on what you're saying. It's not personal. If you make me sit there, hands unoccupied, staring forward the whole time, my mind wanders.
When my mind wanders, I can hear that you're speaking, but everything you're saying is just... noise. Static. Background. It's just gone. I need something to occupy part of my brain so that the rest of it can focus on what I really need to pay attention to. ADHD is like that.
